A HEARTLESS conman who tricked his way into sheltered accommodation flats to steal residents’ wallets and purses has got his own secure accommodation – in prison.
Steven White, who had targeted addresses in Leamington and Rugby over the course of four days, pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court to three charges of burglary.
The 32 year-old of Peterlee Walk, Coventry, who also asked for eight more similar offences to be taken into consideration, was jailed for four years.
Prosecutor Robert Harding said last November White tricked his way into sheltered flat complexes – claiming to be a maintenance worker – in Rugby and twice in Leamington. He stole over cash and bank cards, which he later used to withdraw more money.
When later arrested White admitted the offences and confessed to a further eight similar burglaries he had committed during the same period.
Mr Harding added White had 32 previous convictions for 67 offences, going back to when he was just 11 years-old, although his last burglar conviction had been in 2009.
Andrew Baker, defending, said White was utterly ashamed of what he had done.
Jailing White, Judge Sylvia de Bertodano, said: “These are people we should be taking care of, not targeting.
“They could be any of our grandparents, including yours, and they deserve to live out their lives with what small degree of independence they can, without being targeted by confidence tricksters like you.”
